Antal Tasner, who spoke 9 languages and had a law degree, served Széchenyi as his secretary from 1833 and was the count’s most important confidant. The administration of all his “employer’s” enterprises was in his hands, and he also handled all his private affairs as well. Mostly he was the proof-reader, editor and copy editor of Széchenyi’s writings. Their relationship was characterised by unconditional trust and respect on the one hand, and complete and exclusive loyalty on the other. The Count “respected, honoured and liked my father, who in turn not only admired him as an extraordinary being, but revered him to the point of adoration” – this is how Tasner’s son Géza summarised the content of their “symbiosis”. The depth of Széchenyi’s trust is illustrated by the fact that he left his most personal papers – including his diaries – to his secretary, leaving it to Tasner’s judgement as to what might be made public later.